Saturday, September 26, 2015

THE MAKING OF A NOBODY PART II

Very seldom is a motorcycle club willing to disclose any information about the process of becoming a member, but this reporter was given access to such secrets and actually was allowed to participate in each step of the prospecting and initiation. The only stipulation was that all the information shared with the media would be altered enough to be deemed useless.


I was able to follow the process with Banana. Banana was a strapping 63 year old retired executive, who wanted to fade out of the public eye after spending many years in a high profile position. " I was introduced to the Nobodies through a porter at a Hotel I often used when in New York City",explained Banana. "That is when the dream of living in anonymity took seed".  When I first met Banana he was certainly a man of distinction; he was 6' 4"tall, trim and well dressed; his appearance spoke of a person of importance, who upon entering a room would always draw attention. When he was finally given full Nobody privileges after 14 months, he was a nondescript 5' 6" person, who would often be ignored by waitresses and sales people. Observing the transformation was painful for me. Banana was slowly and methodically deconstructed through psychological and physical ordeals. In one exercise he was ignored for a week; deprived of eye contact, food (other than the scraps he was able to find on the floor), clean air, unobstructed vision, clean clothing, hand soap, napkins, dental floss  and lip balm. Towards the end of his prospecting, when the club members decided to call him banana, he was placed in a curved box which was 5' 6" high for 24 hours.

Today Banana is truly a Nobody. " I am free to live!", exclaimed Banana. He has found a new niche in the world where the joy of living and being overlooked coexist.

Ruddy Turnstone
Motorcycle Gazette  

Friday, September 11, 2015

ARE YOU A BIKER OR A MOTORCYCLE RIDER?


People have often asked me if there is a difference between a biker and a motorcycle rider. I have shied away from this topic, because it is very controversial. In many riding circles, it is a topic that is to be avoided, as many riders believe the distinction is significant. Let me give you a little  background. In the early years of  motorcycling there really were no motorcycles! There were motorbikes......bicycles with motors strapped on them. The folks that were riding these contraptions often built them and took pride in their innovations. Getting around on these bikes was a real adventure that involved riding skills:the roads were rough with many challenges and the bikes did not have suspension systems and their frames were often flimsy. These pioneer riders also needed mechanical skills, as their bikes broke down several times a day and great creativity because of limited resources. This group of people were called bikers. There was a camaraderie in this group, which was fueled by their great riding stories and their road adventures together. They also experienced a certain degree of prejudiced from the "normal folk" who saw their devotion to motorbikes rather childish and unproductive. As motorbikes evolved into motorcycles, the skill set to successfully ride and maintain these two wheel vehicles remained complex and demanding. The passion for riding motorcycles continued to attract adventurous people, who were often willing to set aside convention and pursue  the world of biking. Very early on these folks were called bikers. 

As time passed, motorcycles became more reliable, but the attraction was still to a sub-group of adventurous, fun loving people. They were bikers! Leather clad road warriors willing to get around using an unconventional mode of transportation. It was not a sport but rather a lifestyle.  Present day there are clubs, various riding associations interest groups etc., but in many ways the lone biker is still the compelling image. Yes, I believe there is a difference between bikers and motorcycle riders; the question is: how does one  choose to define the distinction? Does one approach it from a historical perspective?, behavioral perspective?, or by affiliation? So the controversy is fueled by one's perspective, needless to say (so why did I say it?). My solution is to offer two different checklists. You choose the one you believe is valid.


ARE YOU A BIKER
(Historical Perspective)

___  I like gravel roads
___  I like riding in stormy weather
___  I do all my bike maintenance
___  I like to try to fix my bike before getting professional help
___ Getting lost and wandering is enjoyable
___  I try to ride every day
___ Give me a sleeping bag and a peanut butter sandwich, I'm good for a week
___  My motorcycle is my main means of transportation
___  I don't need a fancy bike with a lot of chrome.
___  Biking is great fun

If 7 or more of these statements describe you: congratulations you are a biker!

ARE YOU A BIKER
(Current Perspective)

___  I have a beard
___  I have tattoos
___  I ride without a helmet
___  Harleys are all I ride
___  Loud pipes are a necessity
___  Rain gear is for wimps
___  A leather jacket or vest and chaps are the only real ride-wear
___  Chrome and a custom paint job is preferred
___  No motorcycle shop for me, I fix it or my buddy will
___  I belong to a motorcycle club

If 7 or more of these statements describe you; congratulations you are a biker!


The  differing view points will continue and as new invitations in motorcycle are developed such as: electric cycles (which are in production now) hover bikes and even invisible bikes, the waters will be muddier than the present. This entire topic is really trivial and a waste of time; that's why I take it very seriously!